C-Falls man dies in Sunday evening crash

A Columbia Falls man died in a two-vehicle traffic crash Sunday evening on U.S. 2 in Hungry Horse.

According to Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino, John Werner, 56, was ejected from a Subaru he was driving east on U.S. 2 at mile marker 141. Medical personnel attempted lifesaving efforts, but Werner died at the scene.

According to Montana Highway Patrol, Werner was driving a 2005 Subaru Forester west on U.S. 2 when he failed to negotiate a lefthand curve, drove off the right side of the road, overcorrected, crossed the centerline and went into a broadside skid when he was struck by an eastbound 2003 Dodge Ram truck driven by a 72-year-old man from Coram.

Werner was not wearing a seat belt while the man from Coram was.

Alcohol and speed are suspected factors in the crash, according to the Montana Highway Patrol, which is investigating the accident.